Chapter 22:

The holidays approached the students of Hogwarts with an unusually quick turn. Midterms were being given out to students as they were preparing to visit home for the holidays.

Harry himself received many invitations to visit friends over the two-week period, but he intended to spend most of his days with his siblings, and his extended family.

He had honestly been struggling in school, and in his training. He could tell the others were beginning to worry, but he wasn't honestly sure what was wrong. He had gone through phases of not being able to sleep before, and it had never affected him like this. He couldn't quite understand where the base of the problem was, but he hoped he could fix it over the holidays.

With the strain on his mind, he took it easy a little more during the evenings, and it was during this he realized that he wasn't very close to his first-year male housemates. They seemed to hang out with Harry inside the classroom, but there was no connection between the boys, and he wasn't really sure how to change that.

Deciding that he would gift each boy something over the holidays, and make a promise to himself that at some point he would become a little closer to his dorm roommates.

The last night before the term was out he was taking a late run on the grounds when he saw the smoke stacks coming from Hagrid's hut. Deciding that his friend was due for a visit he ran over to the hut and politely knocked on the door. At first, he heard the man's panicked voice, "Just a minute!"

Harry thought it odd for Hagrid to be panicking, but waited patiently for the door to be open. Eventually, the half-giant opened the door greeting his young friend by stepping out of his home, "'Ello Harry. What are you up to on this cold winter night? Isn't it a little late for a first-year to be out on the grounds by himself?"

Looking around Harry questioned, "Hagrid it's only 5:30. The sun may be setting, but it's still rather early. Is it a bad time?"

Glancing back at the hut it was clear the gamekeeper was nervous about something but didn't voice his concern, "It uh-"

Before Hagrid could answer the door to his hut opened and Neville was standing there, "Merlin Harry, good timing. Have you come to help with the dragon?"

The green eyes seemed to widen significantly as the half-giant groaned in exasperation, "Come on in. Let's get you out of the cold."

As Harry came through the door he saw the usual conundrum that was Hagrid's home. A major difference however was the broken egg on the table with the cheerful baby creature hopping around on both legs near Ron Weasley. Harry and Ron weren't exactly on the best of terms, but they had improved over the past month, at least beyond the point where Harry was going to smite the emotionless git, "That's a Norwegian Ridgeback, isn't it? My grandpa Charlus had all kinds of books over Dragons in the Potter library, and Remus helped me through a couple of them."

Hagrid beamed, "Right you are Harry. This is Norbert!"

Harry approached the creature cautiously as the book had warned him, and gently stroked the creature's head as he attempted to nibble on his fingers, "Hagrid Dragons are illegal to own in England. You have to send her to a reserve, or if the ministry finds out she could be put down!"

All three asked at once, "She?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Hagrid as much as you like magical creatures I am surprised you couldn't tell the difference. Especially if you were going to harbor one. It's all in the spots. Girls have horizontally shaped spots, while boys if they have any are vertical."

Hagrid voiced an objection, "Well I figured after Fluffy there were few pets out there I couldn't handle?"

Ron and Neville exchanged nervous looks while the oldest Potter scion questioned, "Fluffy?"

"I shouldn't have told you that," Hagrid whined.

Neville came to his rescue however saying, "It's a Cerberus on the third-floor corridor. It's what protects you know what."

At first, Harry took a knowing look, but then gasped, "A Cerberus? Have the professors lost their minds? There are nearly two hundred children in this school, and if that monster were to get out he would eat at least fifty before we could bring it down. They are nearly invincible!"

Hagrid waved the young boy off his rant, "Cadswallop, Fluffy can be tamed with just a bit of music. It's how we keep him asleep on the third floor."

Knowing there was no point in arguing with the stubborn half-giant Harry went back to his original argument, "Hagrid you still need to give up the baby dragon. I understand you would be devastated if something were to happen to this poor creature. I would hate to see you have to go through that, and I bet if you were to get in touch with Dragon Handlers, then they would even let you come visit the girl."

Ron added, "I could talk to Charlie over the break, and when we come back he will probably be able to set up some type of extraction for the dragon. He wouldn't ask questions, and would be glad to help."

Harry put a comforting hand on the massive shoulder of the man as he took a seat with a defeated look, "Do you want to put Dumbledore in hot water over this Hagrid? If another student came by and heard or saw the dragon they could go to the authorities then Dumbledore would be forced to defend you, and we both know he would. We could prevent a catastrophe...I didn't know Charlie had become a dragon handler, Ron. I figured he would go pro into the quidditch leagues."

Ron took a like of immense pride, "Charlie didn't think that was really useful for his daredevil talents. He wanted something a bit more dangerous, it drives mum mad!"

In understanding, Harry grimaced at what his mother would say if he decided to go be a dragon handler in another country. Neville putting the boys back on the track continued the good fight, "We will handle whatever extraction Charlie can get for us Hagrid. We don't want to see you get in trouble over this. Maybe you could even go to Dumbledore before it gets out of hand, and he can set something up."

Harry shook his head, "Plausible deniability. Give Dumbledore that. If he knew a dragon was being harbored in his school that could only make things worse, giving him the humble choice of being ignorant on the matter. Trust me on this one."

After a general consensus, Hagrid ended up agreeing with the three first years, and sent them on their way, in the hope to spend some good time with his dragon while the castle would be empty over the next two weeks.

Harry ended up telling his friends good night rather early as he knew he had a certain professor that needed visiting. Something that Neville had said was really bothering him, and he wanted to see if there was a problem with his mental shields.

As he knocked on the dungeon room doors, he waited a few moments before he heard a silky voice, "Enter."

Harry opened the door to see the professor buried behind a daily prophet, "Ah good evening Mr. Potter. What pleasure do I have of getting a visit so late from a first-year badger?"

Harry could feel the man's sarcasm lacing in each word, but he also knew that some things would never change, as he closed the door behind him, "Actually professor I could use your help with something."

Professor Snape closed his newspaper and laid it on his desk with a patient look on his face, "If you are coming to me then I would assume it is something serious. Is this the case Mr. Potter?"

Harry nodded approaching the man's desk, "It could be a professor. You see I have been having problems controlling my emotions, and have been quick to anger recently. I'm not sure what's causing it, but I haven't thrown a fit or even really been angry since you taught me Occulmency."

"That only leaves me to believe that somehow my shields have been damaged. I'm not sure how this would have happened, as I have been meditating and training, just as you instructed me to do. Not even once have I broken my habits, so I am a bit concerned. No one has penetrated my mind either, which is what Mind Magicks mentioned as a possibility for the problem, but I was able to rule that out."

Snape looked thoughtful as he stood up drawing his wand slowly, "Allow me to take a look? Not to worry, this won't be an attack, just a probe."

Harry nodded as he felt Snape cast the point-blank spell at his skull. His world went dark for what felt like hours, and he could feel Snape's magic moving around the shells of shields as if they were inspecting a fine piece of art or something as difficult as rocket science. When he felt the presence leave he opened his eyes, and Snape looked interested, "Your shields have been fractured. They all seem to be standing, but it is clear that they have been damaged."

Snape motioned to the chair across from him as he swept back into his potions lab. Harry took a stressed seat, now truly worried that Neville had been right about something dark happening within the school. A few minutes later Snape took a seat at his desk, "Before I give you this Mr. Potter I would like to warn you that if you have lied to me about doing your mental exercises this potion will hurt you immensely. If you have been truthful, and you truly are ignorant to what is causing this damage to your shields then, it should help rebuild them over the holidays."

"I merely ask that you keep your magical core high, as it may be dangerous to dip below normal levels on this potion. I will be over on Christmas Night as your mother has invited me for dinner. I will check your shields again, and see if the potion is doing its job. Now let us discuss some theories behind what could be the problem. Would you like to start us off?"

Harry nodded, having done this kind of teaching with the potions Master before, "Well sir, I will say that I never had this problem until I entered Hogwarts. I use my magic more here than I ever did at home, but that doesn't seem like that would be the cause of my shields cracking."

"I thought it may be the stress of Halloween, but if that was the case my shields would have been rebuilt by now from all the meditation exercises I do. Honestly, until Neville pointed out that I had been off, I hadn't really realized it. He said that it was almost like he could sense a dark presence and that if was affecting me and others in ways we weren't realizing it."

"But I know Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones have mind shields, and they haven't mentioned any problems. So honestly professor, I am at a bit of a loss."

Professor Snape seemed to acknowledge the boy for a few moments before giving the last thing he expected, a compliment, "Mr. Potter ever since your admirable actions on Halloween it has been clear that something has gone amiss within the castle. I do believe Mr. Longbottom may be on the right path to our question. Unfortunately, I do not believe we have an easy solution to the problem."

"I myself have been aware of the dark magic that is currently residing in the school, as is the headmaster, however, we are not sure where it is coming from. You know we expected that fool, but I do not believe him capable of casting such a shadow on Hogwarts' most powerful students. You see Mr. Potter I to have been affected, but being a master of my art I have not had any noticeable problems. The headmaster is of the same caliber, however, I believe with your core size, and your shield size you are taking a heavy hit from the influence of dark magic."

Harry was quick to beg, "What can I do to stop it, Professor? I would like to think I have proven to you that weakness is not something I wish to tolerate from myself."

The potions master raised his eyebrows at the boy's outburst, "That you have Mr. Potter. In a fit of honesty, I will say there is not much we can do. Assuming our assumptions are correct the potion will help rebuild your core and your shields to maximum efficiency. Time away from the castle will also do you some good."

"Upon your return, I will check your shields once a week, and if they get as delicate as they are now, then we will put you back on the potion. If you hear of your classmates having similar problems you will direct them to me, for aid."

Harry took a downcast look, "Why is it that you and Professor Dumbledore can deflect the effects, but not me Professor?"

Snape gave the boy a gentle scolding, "While I do find you a very powerful eleven-year-old Mr. Potter, I am surprised your arrogance exceeds you in the comparison between the headmaster and me, to yourself."

Harry's jaw dropped as he looked back up at the Professor, "Not at all sir. I meant no offense to your skills sir. I have seen them too much firsthand to doubt that. But I just don't understand why I am so affected, while you and the headmaster are not?"

The potion master rebutted, "It is not a matter of weakness Potter, it is a matter of experience. Only people with the larger cores are going to be affected. Your core is immense in comparison to the growth of your body, which makes your magic at times disproportionate. If you were older I doubt you would even notice the looming dark magic."

"However since you have never been truly exposed to it since you were struck by the killing curse, I believe your core is reacting poorly due to remembering the darkest of magic. In time the darkness will pass, and should it ever return, I do believe that you will be more adept at countering it."

The green-eyed boy merely nodded his head, "Yes Professor."

"Now, you are to take the potion twice a day after meals. I will inform your mother that I will be making this batch of potions for you because it is imperative that they are all done in the exact same manner. Your mother and I use different potion techniques for different remedies, and I do not wish to make things worse, but the problem needs to be solved as quick as possible before the worse happens and your shields collapse."

Harry stood as the man pushed a set of vials towards him and placed the imperturbable charm on them to keep the objects from breaking, "Thank you, Professor. Is there anything I can do to return a favor?"

Snape took an even smile on his face, "Now Mr. Potter when someone offers you help for free, and then you ask if there is something they can do, you can always expect a Slytherin to counter your offer. As it so happens I do require your assistance with something."

Harry was quick to accept, "Name your price sir. I would be glad to assist in anything."

Snape scolded the boy, "So quick to offer. What if I asked you to poison someone, or to steal something?"

"I trust you, sir."

This answer seemed to catch the man on a hot step and he blinked in surprise. Then shook his head, "Bloody Hufflepuff...Seeing as I will be in your home on Christmas I will of course bring a gift to my hosts. While I have known your mother for many years and have bought her many Christmas presents in the past I now find myself in the position of needing to buy your father something. It would be rude to be a guest in a man's home, and provide his wife with a gift, and not one for him. I may not like the blithering blockhead, but he is my best friend's husband, and I will respect him in his own home."

Harry's mouth was open like a fish and knew if Sirius had heard the question he would've killed over right then and there, as it was merely ridiculous that Severus Snape may want to buy James Potter a Christmas gift. Deciding there was still much to live for he didn't comment for a moment, until he came up with an idea, "My dad is actually rather fond of Wizards' chess actually. A simple gift would probably be best, as I am sure you are not wanting to wow the man."

Severus suddenly looked like he had been struck with an idea, "Mr. Potter your idea has been most enlightening. Your assistance is appreciated."

Harry rolled his eyes a bit, knowing the man would never say the words thank you till the day he died. But the boy bowed, "No thank you Professor for your help and wisdom. I will leave you for the night and wish you happy holidays. I will see you Christmas night?"

Snape nodded his head, "Of course. Goodnight Mr. Potter. I trust you have your safety net back to the Hufflepuff common rooms?"

Harry nodded and swept his cloak over his shoulders, "Goodnight Professor."

The young man swept through dungeons as quick as possible, and as he was walking towards the great entrance hall he heard a slightly annoyed voice speaking, "But Master you are not strong enough. The boy must be kept in the dark for now. He has great skills."

Harry stopped dead recognizing that voice from any nightmare. He closed up his senses and put it all into his hearing, and magical sensory. He couldn't sense anyone else in the hall, but he could feel dark magic in the hallway. He then heard Quirrel's voice again, "It will be as you say, my lord. The stone will allow us to create the final Horcrux and end this once and for all."

Red flags went up in Harry's mind as he heard the word Horcrux. He wasn't sure what it was, but it didn't sound good. The fact that he was creating the 'FINAL' Horcrux also did not bode well. As he went to the common room he seemed to be lost in thought as he invisibly bumped into Heidi on his way to the dormitory. This caused the girl to flinch and look around wildly, but Harry didn't care. He just went straight up to his room to ponder what he had heard. He recognized only one acute fact, and that everything was about to go from bad to worse.